MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island police are looking for an inmate who escaped Friday morning (June 24, 2005) from the Hale Nani correctional facility in Hilo.

The inmate is identified as Lorrin Solomon Nakapalau, 27 years old, of a Milolii, South Kona address.

Police received a call from officials at the Hale Nani Facility at about 11:11 a.m, who reported that Nakapalau, who is on extended work furlough, had escaped by running out of the facility, to his pick-up truck, blue in color, bearing Hawaii State License Handicapped plate #1234, which was parked at the entrance/exit of the facility and drove off.

He was last seen in the Kona District in the early afternoon hours.

Nakapalau is described as being 5-foot-8 in height, weighing about 160 pounds, having brown hair and brown eyes, unknown clothing.

Anyone with information on Nakapalau’s whereabouts is asked to call Officer Todd Pataray of the South Hilo Patrol at 961-2213 or the police non-emergency number at 935-3311.

Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept strictly confidential.